Paying a Worker on Shabbat to Avoid Chillul Hashem
Question
Suppose a Jew hires a non-Jewish worker to do work for him on Friday. The Jew plans to pay the worker on Friday before sundown in accordance with Torah law. But unexpected circumstances beyond his control make that impossible. Shabbat has started and the worker is demanding to be paid that very evening and not to wait until Shabbat is over, and might curse the Jewish people and/or G-d if he does not receive his pay then. Would it be permitted to break Shabbat and pay the worker, or is the Jew required to wait until after Shabbat?
Answers
It is forbidden to pay the non-Jewish worker on Shabbat. When such a scenario presents itself, the Jew should make sure that the money is put in an envelope in advance, in a place that the non-Jewish worker can take it without the Jew having to handle it.
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